Hacking PTSD-Major Hackathon to take Place Sept. 25-27 in DC

36 hour hackathon to harness the ideas and creativity of talented computer science students from across the country to develop apps that can help tackle key issues with PTSD

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a major challenge for the US Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and the nation as a result of decades of military conflict. Veterans continue to suffer from access and treatment issues despite the significant research and programs developed by the US Department of Defense (DoD) and the VA. PTSD is a chronic medical condition that follows exposure to traumatic or life-threatening events, such as combat and assault. Up to 3.6 million veterans experience flashbacks, poor concentration, insomnia, anger, and exaggerated responses to triggers, which can lead to alcohol and drug abuse, and suicide.

Longview International Technology Solutions has organized a 36-hour hackathon that will take place starting on September 25th through 27th, by inviting some of the country’s most talented computer science students (undergraduate through postgraduate) along with several corporate teams, to focus their imagination and skills on creating mobile solutions for veterans with PTSD. Students are coming from 59 schools, 18 states, and 4 countries. The event will be held near Washington DC in Annandale, Virginia, at the local campus of the Northern Virginia Community College (NVCC). It will take place at the Richard J. Ernst Community Cultural Center, part of the NOVA Annandale campus. The address is 8333 Little River Turnpike (more details at www.hackdc.com).

Dr. Yan Chow, Longview’s Chief Innovation Officer, commented: “The spirit of this hackathon is not to produce a specific solution, but to leverage an ecosystem of innovators to address many of the needs faced by veterans with PTSD. Those needs include, but are not limited to:

Improving access to therapy, both in-person and virtual

Expanding current therapeutic approaches

Implementing monitoring, feedback, alerts and reminders

Assisting with activities of daily living

Enabling and empowering social support

Dr. Chow further added “Longview’s hackathon, organized in coordination with the VA, will harness the ideas and creativity from a larger community of developers and innovators outside the federal commercial process. Sometimes bringing in fresh eyes and ideas creates an atmosphere for creativity to persevere in finding new ways to combat PTSD and improve its management.

We will provide a mobile software development environment originally developed for the VA, as well as leading-edge hardware and software tools that can be incorporated into the participant’s solutions if desired. Developers will have access to tools and a set of open VA systems that have not been easily available to the public before.

Our veterans deserve the best. Hopefully by gathering the best and brightest young minds at our hackathon---we will be one step closer to developing real-time solutions and relief for the millions who suffer from this debilitating condition.”